IVF - Medication & cycle

[Militarywife7]

I'm due to attend my nurses appointment in early Feb to discuss IVF meds. What stage in your cycle did you start your medication? Is this generally before of after your next period?

[andylins]

Hi, hun. This is where everything really starts.

You prepare for IV cycle. That means comprehensive lab tests give a clearer picture of your fertility. so that your fertility experts can offer you an individualized IVF protocol. Common pre-IVF testing includes: A blood panel . Ultrasounds . Infectious disease screening . Uterine evaluation . Male fertility testing, including a sperm analysis . The next step is to regulate your menstrual cycle and prepare your ovaries. You can expect to take birth control pills for 2- 4 weeks after testing and diagnosis (depending on the length of your cycle.)

Once you come off of the birth control pill, you will begin a process of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. At the clinic you will have an ultrasound to evaluate the uterus and ovaries, and once you get the all clear you can start. There are two main parts of this process. Taking medications for about two weeks:

Oral fertility medications like Clomid and/or injectable follicle stimulation hormones (Follistim and Gonal-F) are used to stimulate the follicles in your ovaries to mature more eggs than they typically would in a normal cycle. The goal is to produce at least 4 eggs with the use of fertility medication.

Monitoring visits (during the fertility medication phase): Ultrasounds and blood tests are used during this time to keep a close eye on the development of your follicles and eggs. This is the most time-consuming part of the IVF process, requiring an average 5-7 visits.

Hope this helps. Stay well, sending you my virtual hugs x

[Militarywife7 in reply to andylins]

Hello,

Firstly I have to say 'wow' thank you so much for such a detailed response. I feel a more at ease now as I have a better idea of how long things take etc. I also thought I might be taking the injections for longer than two weeks, so thats a relief to know. My mind is more at ease now, as our consultant didn't explain the durations for each section and its difficult to find information online.

I've also just read your story and want to wish you the best of luck on your ttc journey for baby no2. Virtual hugs right back at you x